Category: Cyprus News Agency

UNSG personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin is having meetings on Tuesday with political party leaders as part of her visit to the island.

Diplomatic sources told CNA that Holguin will meet with Democratic Rally leader Annita Demetriou. She will also visit AKEL General Secretary Stephanos Stephanou.

Tomorrow she may attend The Technical Committee open day which will be held at Ledra Palace from 1800 to 2100.

Holguin also plans to meet the two leaders again probably Saturday although this is not confirmed. She is also planning to meet the negotiators although this meeting has not been confirmed either.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, held on Monday, in Nicosia, separate meetings with President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.

She said she was working, along with the Secretary General, for a 5 plus 1 meeting on Cyprus, in statements after a meeting in Nicosia with President Nikos Christodoulides.

Speaking to the media after an around 45-minute meeting with President Christodoulides, Holguin said she was glad to be back to Cyprus and that it was a ‘very good meeting.’

‘We are preparing the meeting of the 5 plus 1 with the Secretary General’, she said, adding that after Cyprus she would travel to Athens and to Ankara, before going back to Colombia and is to later return to Europe and visit Brussels.

She expressed optimism about the preparation of such a meeting.

European University Cyprus Announces the Unanimous Election of Professor Evripidis Stylianidis as Dean of the School of Law

European University Cyprus announces the unanimous election of Professor of Constitutional Law Evripidis Stylianidis as Dean of its School of Law. His election follows his recent promotion to the rank of Full Professor of Constitutional Law and represents recognition of his significant academic, scientific, and public contribution to the fields of legal scholarship and higher education.

His unanimous election reflects the confidence of the academic community in his leadership and reaffirms European University Cyprus’s commitment to academic excellence, international outlook, scientific research, and the continued development of its School of Law. At the same time, it strengthens the University’s strategic vision for further expanding its presence in Cyprus, Greece, and Germany.

Commenting on his election, Professor Evripidis Stylianidis stated:

‘I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues at the School of Law for their trust and confidence. I am also grateful to European University Cyprus for its support. Above all, however, I wish to thank my students, who, every day in the lecture halls and amphitheatres of the School of Law, teach me invaluable lessons themselves. They help me better understand the new generation, its mindset, values, and perceptions, a generation that has every right to express the spirit of its era.

My engagement with the academic community and my continuous interaction with young people has profoundly reshaped the way I approach public affairs. They constantly inspire me with vitality, creativity, and innovative thinking. For this, I thank them wholeheartedly.’

A Dynamic School of Law with International Reach

The School of Law of European University Cyprus is established as a dynamic academic institution, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs that combine academic excellence and research with a contemporary professional orientation.

Through its Cyprus Law and Greek Law programs, which meet the requirements of the respective Bar Associations and the demands of modern legal practice, the School equips students with a strong theoretical foundation, practical skills, and meaningful exposure to the legal profession.

Short Bio

Professor Evripidis Stylianidis is a Full Professor of Constitutional Law at the School of Law of European University Cyprus and a lawyer admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Greece (Areios Pagos).

He is a graduate of the School of Law of the Democritus University of Thrace and holds a PhD in Constitutional Law from the University of Hamburg. He has extensive academic, research, and teaching experience in the fields of Constitutional Law, human rights, and governance institutions.

Alongside his academic career, Professor Stylianidis has a long-standing presence in public life. He served for many years as a Member of Hellenic Parliament representing the constituency of Rodopi and held several senior governmental positions, including Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs, Minister of Transport and Communications, Minister of the Interior, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.

His election as Dean marks a new chapter for the School of Law of European University Cyprus, further strengthening its international presence, academic excellence, and strategic growth in both Cyprus and Greece.

The 41st Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference opens on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., bringing together leading members of the Cypriot-American community and senior US officials involved in shaping American policy toward Cyprus and Greece.

The three-day conference, organized by the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), will run through June 11 and is expected to feature meetings with more than 50 officials from the US Senate, House of Representatives, and the executive branch.

Cyprus Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis is among the participants and speakers attending this year’s conference.

Among the speakers already announced are also officials from the US Department of State.

Delegates will gather at the Capital Hilton Hotel, where a series of discussions, meetings, and events have been scheduled throughout the conference.

The program will officially begin on Tuesday, June 9, with a strategic discussion titled ‘The Republic of Cyprus on the Front Line: A Strong Strategic Partner of the United States.’

The opening day will also include a session featuring Cyprus’ Ambassador to the United States, Evangelos Savva, and Greece’s Ambassador to the United States, Antonis Alexandridis. A welcome reception hosted by Ambassador Savva will follow.

On Wednesday, June 10, participants will hold meetings with U.S. Senators and members of the Congress on Capitol Hill, focusing on issues related to Cyprus, Greece, Eastern Mediterranean security, and bilateral relations.The conference will conclude on Thursday, June 11, with a breakfast panel discussion on ‘Trade, Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence Technology.’

State aid is not merely a technical or legal issue, but rather a policy instrument that contributes to the development, competitiveness and cohesion of the European Union, Commissioner for State Aid Control, Stella Michaelidou, said on Tuesday following the meeting of the State Aid Working Group which was held in Nicosia in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, which took place in Cyprus for the first time following the Commissioner’s initiative, Michaelidou stressed that the need for continuous cooperation between Member States and the European Commission remains a top priority, ensuring that State aid rules remain effective, modern and adapted to emerging economic and social challenges.

‘Today’s meeting confirms our shared commitment to working together for a stronger and more resilient European economy’ she added.

Michaelidou said that participants examined a number of important issues currently facing all Member States, including recent developments in European Union case law relating to State aid, the core principle of incentive, the implementation of the new de minimis register, and amendments to the State aid framework under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), which provides flexibility and enables the swift approval of State aid measures at national level.

She also noted that Cyprus highlighted during the discussions, through distinguished speaker Phedon Nicolaides, recent developments in case law concerning the concept of economic activity, a subject that lies at the heart of the application of State aid rules and influences the way in which many public interventions are assessed.

The Commissioner said that hosting this meeting provided an important opportunity for Cyprus to showcase its active role in European decision-making processes and, at the same time, strengthen cooperation with other Member States and the European Commission in a field that directly affects economic growth and competitiveness.

Referring to the participation of representatives from Member States, she said that more than 50 delegates attended, adding that the presence of European Commission officials was both significant and symbolic. ‘This demonstrates the importance of the institution and the close cooperation required for the proper application of State aid rules throughout the European Union,’ she said.

She further noted that, as is the case for all Member States, Cyprus is required to implement an ever-evolving European framework and that the country’s close cooperation with the European Commission and other Member States enables it to address these challenges effectively and ensure the correct application of the rules.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 09/06/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS = 1000

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE 419.506,51

INDEX

VALUE

%DIFF.

VALUE

FTSE/CySE 20

178,760

-0,030

410.068,460

MAIN MARKET INDEX

239,860

1,130

328.087,560

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

3.223,950

0,600

44.441,420

CSE GENERAL INDEX

298,920

0,860

413.004,070

HOTELS INDEX

1.903,260

-2,100

2.343,550

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

1.978,920

-0,290

87.261,230

The upward trend in cannabis use and availability in Cyprus, as well as the expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine use are among the findings of the European Drug Report 2026, presented on Tuesday, in Nicosia, during a press conference organized by the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority.

In 2024, eight direct drug-related overdose deaths were recorded. The highest number of direct overdose deaths on record was 17, registered in 2020.

The Chairman of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, Dr Christos Mina, stated that ‘cannabis remains the most widely available and most commonly used illicit substance among the general population, while we are also witnessing increased activity and expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine use in all its forms.’

Dr Mina further noted that ‘new synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, as well as nitazenes and synthetic opioids, are emerging concerns. Overall, the key trends are polydrug use, combined substance use, higher purity and potency levels, and, most importantly, the uncertainty surrounding what users are actually consuming, which poses significant risks both to individual and public health.’

According to research findings presented by Ioanna Yasemi, Head of the Monitoring Department of the National Documentation and Information Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN) of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, the substance-use landscape is changing. While historically (2004-2021) the overwhelming majority of deaths were associated with opioids, in 2022 and 2024 all recorded deaths were linked exclusively to other substances. In addition, the percentage of injecting drug users who were retested and found positive for Hepatitis C remained alarmingly high, reaching 45.2% in 2024.

Cannabis

The report shows a clear upward trend in both cannabis use and availability in recent years. Lifetime cannabis use among the general population rose steadily, reaching 18% in 2023, compared with 6.6% in 2006, 12.1% in 2016, and 14.1% in 2019.

The highest prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was recorded among individuals aged 25-34 (27% in 2023), followed by young people aged 15-24 (21.8% in 2023). Among school students, lifetime cannabis use declined slightly to 8% in 2024 (10% among boys and 6.8% among girls), down from the peak of 9% recorded in 2019.

By contrast, cannabis use among university students remains significantly higher, with 32% reporting lifetime use, 18% use within the past year, and 11% use within the past month.

Seizures of herbal cannabis by the Cyprus Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) increased dramatically in recent years, reaching 554.2 kg in 2023 and a record high of 617 kg in 2024.

Cocaine and Methamphetamine

According to the report, stimulant drugs are showing worrying growth trends, with Larnaca emerging as a hotspot for elevated concentrations.

Lifetime cocaine use among the general population stood at 2.2% in 2023. Wastewater analysis data for 2025 indicate that, although Cyprus remains below many European countries in overall cocaine consumption, Larnaca recorded the highest concentration (approximately 135 mg/1,000 people/day), followed by Ayia Napa and Nicosia.

Among university students, 4.3% reported lifetime cocaine use, 2.2% use during the previous year, and 1.5% use during the previous month.

Cocaine seizures amounted to 52.1 kg in 2024. The historical record remains 182.3 kg, recorded in 2016.

‘We are not among the highest-ranking countries in Europe, but we are seeing an increase. Treatment requests have increased, as have public health problems, as well as drug-related crime and violence,’ said Dr Mina.

Regarding methamphetamine use, while concentrations have decreased in Limassol, significant local increases have been recorded elsewhere. Larnaca reported by far the highest daily concentration in wastewater (over 60 mg/1,000 people/day), followed by Ayia Napa.

Methamphetamine seizures fell sharply from 8.5 kg in 2023 to just 0.5 kg in 2024.

Treatment Requests

According to the report, the total number of people receiving treatment for substance use disorders, regardless of the substance involved, reached 1,531 individuals in 2024, the highest figure recorded since 2004.

The increase is attributed to a genuine rise in substance-use problems, greater availability of treatment programmes, reduced social stigma, and the implementation of referral protocols for young people arrested by YKAN.

In 2024, 328 individuals began treatment for cannabis use, bringing the total number of cannabis users in treatment programmes to 522 when including those continuing treatment from previous years.

A further 184 individuals began treatment for cocaine use in 2024, bringing the total number of cocaine users in treatment programmes to 276.

For methamphetamine use, 73 individuals entered treatment during 2024, with a total of 122 people participating in treatment programmes.

Treatment requests where opioids (such as heroin) were identified as the primary substance of use continue to follow a steady downward trend. Only 82 individuals began treatment for opioid use in 2024, compared with 399 in 2007.

The estimated number of problematic opioid users declined to 817 individuals in 2024, comprising 147 Cypriots and 514 foreign nationals.

Eastern Mediterranean Policy Note

Issue 124b, June 2026

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN POLICY NOTE

entitled

REVISITING RELATIONS BETWEEN CYPRUS AND THE UK IN AN ERA OF UNCERTAINTY

by

Mary Varda

Read the Note

Department of Labour Inspection of the Cyprus Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance with the support of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), is organising a Conference on occupational safety and health titled ‘Positive Safety Culture towards Vision Zero’.

The Conference takes place June 11 at the Filoxenia Conference Center, a press release by the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Council Presidency said here on Tuesday.

Minister Marinos Moushouttas, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Dr. Mario Nava and the Executive Director of EU-OSHA William Cockburn will deliver opening remarks.

The Conference will host representatives of reputable European organizations as well as experts in the field of work safety and health.

Distinguished scientists and academics will develop topics such as a positive safety and health culture, climate change, mental health, occupational accidents and occupational diseases and will highlight the research work, as well as the good practices that are implemented.

The ultimate goal of the Conference, the press release reads, is the exchange of views with the main goal of strengthening work safety and health throughout the European Union and the vision of Zero Occupational Accidents (Vision Zero).

Current geopolitical developments require deeper regional cooperation, diversification of supply sources and routes and strengthening energy infrastructure, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michalis Damianos, said at the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), held in Washington, at the headquarters of the US Chamber of Commerce.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Energy, the meeting was attended by the Energy Ministers of the Forum’s member states, while observers included the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, as well as representatives of the European Union and the World Bank.

Damianos, in his intervention, it said, underlined the strategic role of the EMGF as a pillar of regional cooperation and energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean. ‘He reiterated the support of the Republic of Cyprus in the further development of the Organisation and its Long-Term Strategy, emphasising that natural gas must remain at the core of its activities, alongside the development of collaborations in sectors such as hydrogen, electricity interconnections, power systems and renewable energy’, it adds.

The Minister, it said, pointed out that current geopolitical developments require deeper regional cooperation, diversification of supply sources and routes and strengthening energy infrastructure ‘He also stressed that the Eastern Mediterranean can significantly contribute to Europe’s energy security as a reliable alternative source of supply, while noting that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union creates additional opportunities to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the EU and the region’, it adds.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Damianos held a bilateral meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi. During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed progress on joint Cyprus-Egypt energy projects, particularly regarding the development of the ‘Cronos’ and ‘Aphrodite’ natural gas fields, as well as prospects for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries, it said.

The Minister also held a meeting at the White House with Jarrod P. Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council, during which they discussed energy policy and security issues, as well as opportunities to further deepen energy cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States, it adds.

On Tuesday, Damianos is to participate in the Atlantic Council’s Eastern Mediterranean Energy Business Forum and deliver remarks at the 41st Annual PSEKA Conference.

On Wednesday, he is to take part in a high-level discussion at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum on ‘Europe’s Path from Energy Crisis to Lasting Resilience’.

On Thursday, he will travel to Houston to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 cooperation framework and the official inauguration ceremony of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center at the Baker Institute of Rice University.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 09/06/2026 UNTIL 1200 10/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1011hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but local mist and low cloud are expected, overnight and in the morning, with risk of fog.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL